Decoy technology

Abstract

A motion-type predator decoy for attracting coyotes, wild dogs and other pest or nuisance predators for use in ranching, farming, recreation land management, public safety and sporting fields. The decoy has a support base for placement during use on an environmental surface. The base includes a downwardly disposed surface contact end of a predetermined lateral dimension and an upwardly disposed support end of a predetermined lateral dimension. The decoy also has a driven decoy mechanism connected to the support end of the base. The decoy mechanism includes an actuator and a flexible decoy member. The actuator generates vibrations and the decoy mechanism undergoes random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components with respect to the base. A method of using the decoy is also disclosed.

1. An apparatus, comprising a base for placement during use on an environmental surface, the base including a surface contact end of a predetermined dimension and a support end; and a driven decoy mechanism communicatively connected at the support end of the base, the decoy mechanism comprising an actuator and a decoy member, the actuator comprising a power supply, a switch connected to the power supply, a motor connected to the switch, an actuator housing for the power supply, switch and motor, the motor being fixedly connected to an interior surface of the housing whereby actuation of the motor causes the housing to undergo a vibratory motion, and an elongated arm connected to an exterior surface of the housing at a top end thereof, the decoy member being connected to the arm. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vibratory motion is a quiver motion having random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  1 , wherein the actuator further comprises a flywheel weight connected and arranged to be rotated by the motor within the housing, and wherein the flywheel weight is connected off-center with respect to a central axis of the housing. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator housing has a base connection assembly extending an adjustable distance from its exterior surface at a bottom end thereof and pivotally contacting the base. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator further comprises a flywheel weight connected and arranged to be rotated by the motor within the housing, and wherein the flywheel weight is connected off-center with respect to a central axis of the housing, and whereby the vibratory motion of the actuator pivotally connected to the base yields a quiver motion to the decoy mechanism having random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator arm is flexible and wherein the decoy member is a flexible and has a cover configuration that is placed over the flexible arm. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is a wire structure having a predetermined length and a predetermined curved configuration. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined curved configuration is an “S” shape. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the decoy element cover is constructed and arranged to simulate a small mammal. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is a wire structure having a predetermined length, wherein the predetermined configuration is an “S” shape, and wherein the decoy element cover is constructed and arranged to simulate a small animal, whereby driving of the actuator yields a quiver motion to the decoy mechanism having random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components, which simulates a small animal in distress which is adapted to attract predatory larger animals for decoy purposes. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a predetermined longitudinal length from contact end to support end. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a bottom for contact with the environment and a top for connection with the decoy mechanism. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a housing having a hollow interior, the housing having an inlet/outlet for adding and removing ballast such as water, sand, or gravel. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the decoy mechanism is pivotally connected to the base. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the decoy mechanism generates vibrations, whereby the pivotally connected decoy mechanism undergoes random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components with respect to the base. 
     
     
       16. A decoy apparatus, comprising a support base for placement during use on an environmental surface, the base including a downwardly disposed surface contact end of a predetermined lateral dimension and an upwardly disposed support end of a predetermined lateral dimension which is less than that of the contact end; and a driven decoy mechanism pivotally connected to the support end of the base, the decoy mechanism including an actuator and a decoy member, the actuator comprising a power supply, a switch connected to the power supply, a motor connected to the switch, an actuator housing for the power supply, switch and motor, the motor being fixedly connected to an interior surface of the housing whereby actuation of the motor causes the housing to undergo a vibratory motion, and an elongated arm connected to an exterior surface of the housing at a top end thereof, the decoy member being connected to the arm. 
     
     
       17. A motion-type predator decoy apparatus for attracting coyotes, wild dogs and other pest or nuisance predators for use in ranching, farming, recreation land management, public safety and sporting fields, comprising:
 a support base for placement during use on an environmental surface, the base including a downwardly disposed surface contact end of a predetermined lateral dimension and an upwardly disposed support end of a predetermined lateral dimension; and 
 a driven decoy mechanism connected to the support end of the base, the decoy mechanism including:
 an actuator which comprises:
 a. a power supply; 
 b. a switch connected to the power supply; 
 c. a motor connected to the switch; 
 d. an elongated arm, the arm being connected to the decoy member, and 
 e. an actuator housing for the power supply, switch and motor, the motor being fixedly connected to an interior surface of the housing whereby actuation of the motor causes the housing to undergo a vibratory motion, and the arm being connected to an exterior surface of the housing at a top end thereof, 
 
 a decoy member 
 
 
       whereby the actuator generates vibrations and the decoy mechanism undergoes random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components with respect to the base. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus, comprising a base for placement during use on an environmental surface, the base including a surface contact end of a predetermined dimension and a support end; and a driven decoy mechanism connected to the support end of the base, the decoy mechanism comprising an actuator and a decoy member, the actuator comprising a power supply, a switch connected to the power supply, a motor connected to the switch, an elongated arm extending from the base and connected to the decoy member, wherein the actuator arm is flexible and wherein the decoy member is a flexible and has a cover configuration that is placed over the flexible arm, and wherein the arm is a wire structure having a predetermined length and a predetermined curved configuration. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus, comprising a base for placement during use on an environmental surface, the base including a surface contact end of a predetermined dimension and a support end; and a driven decoy mechanism connected to the support end of the base, the decoy mechanism comprising an actuator and a decoy member, the actuator comprising a power supply, a switch connected to the power supply, a motor connected to the switch, an elongated arm extending from the base and connected to the decoy member, wherein the actuator arm is flexible and wherein the decoy member is a flexible and has a cover configuration that is placed over the flexible arm, and wherein the arm is a wire structure having a predetermined length, wherein the predetermined configuration is an “S” shape, and wherein the decoy element cover is constructed and arranged to simulate a small animal, whereby driving of the actuator yields a quiver motion to the decoy mechanism having random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components, which simulates a small animal in distress which is adapted to attract predatory larger animals for decoy purposes.